In honor and recognition of Barb Shell, who will retire after having worked at Grinnell College for over 38 years as the Technical Assistant of Dining Services, there will be a celebratory reception held on Thursday, Dec. 18 in JRC 101. The event will be open to all student and faculty members on campus to attend and honor Shell’s work.
Shell was hired on August 1, 1976 as a new employee of the Dining Hall office for the College.
At the time, a contractor operated Grinnell’s food service, but Shell was hired as administrators decided to have an independently operated Dining Hall at Grinnell.
Shell stated that she has been dedicated to her job at the College and for Dining Services, and is proud of the work that she has done. Currently, she works both as the technical assistant in the Dining Hall office, where she manages the front office of Dining Services and she also helps ensure that Pioneer One Cards work.
I make sure the database is accurate,” she said. “I check on meal plans, I’ve taken pictures for P-Cards and I help with replacing cards when they become lost, damaged or stolen. I also make cards for faculty and more.”
Shell stated that she enjoys how busy she is and how each day in her department is different and interesting. She added that she loves her job because of the “fine students and individuals [she works] with.”
“Dining Services people are among the hardest working people on campus,” Shell said.
Shell added that she will miss her department coworkers, friends and the students that come and go from the office throughout the day.
After retirement, Shell said that she plans to do a bit of traveling as well as to avoid setting up any alarms, but not before showing some love for those she has worked beside every day.
“The Dining Hall staff work very hard to serve the students and the whole campus and I’d love to see the appreciation shown for that,” she said.
Executive Chef Scott Turley, a coworker of Shell’s will help host the celebratory reception and applauded the legacy that Shell has left at the College.
“She deserves the best, she put a lot of years and work here,” Turley said.